IOA, grapplers welcome wrestling's re-inclusion in Olympic Games
New Delhi: Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the wrestling fraternity of the country was ecstatic as wrestling today won a crucial International Olympic Committee (IOC) vote to regain its place in the Olympic sports roster.
Wrestling got 49 out of 95 votes cast by the IOC members in Buenos Aires, Argentina while the joint bid of baseball/softball was second with 24 votes and squash received 22 votes.
The voting at the 125th IOC session ensured that wrestling will be on the Olympic sportroster in 2020 games, to be hosted by the Japanese city of Tokyo, as well as in the 2024 Games.
Star wrestler Sushil Kumar, who won back-to-back medals in Olympic Games, said it will inspire the young grapplers for better performance.
"It's a great news for the wrestling fraternity. The decision will motivate the younger crop to take up the sport. I am happy that the ancient sport has been reinstated as it deserves to be in the Olympic movement," Sushil told PTI.
"The IOC verdict also secures the future of the Indian wrestlers who are aiming to represent India at the Olympics. We will definitely see more medals in the sport at the future Olympics," Sushil added.
IOA acting President V K Malhotra also hailed the IOC decision.
"We were waiting for this news. We are happy that efforts have yielded desired result. It is really good for the wrestlers," Malhotra said.
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Raj Singh felt that granting Tokyo (Japan) the rights to host 2020 Olympics also had a impact on the final voting.
"I was confident about wrestling making the cut. When Japan was given the hosting rights, it was a positive sign for wrestling as it has rich past in the sport. We had a strong case in our favour and I am glad that the IOC backed our move. All FILA members and associates need to thanked for their efforts," Raj said.
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